I've had a change of plans (oh yeah I'm the queen of change), I've found another Tri to do, down here in Melbourne.

Basically I've got the opportunity to head to up to FNQ and speak to a womens team whose doing the Crocoldile Trophy, and I'm gonna take this opportunity, because I've never been that far North before.

Sorry... I feel really bad that I've changed my plans on you all, I've thought long and hard about it.

I will do the whole BRW or Gatorade series down here (includes an Olympic Distance one on Beach Road) which ever one has the Olympic Distance in it and I may look for a tri in Sydney or WA, cause I'd love to see the boys over in Perth again, but I'd also love to met some people in Sydney who are on the forums.

As at midday today the decision has been made to shut the system down due to our web providers not finding a resolution to the problem this morning. No entries are being accepted today. Entries have simply been postponed and the event is NOT full. We will advise this afternoon via our website www.usmevents.com.au, on facebook and another enews when we will reopen. New measures will take a few days and entries unlikely to open until next week. We will keep everyone informed as the situation progresses. We appreciate your patience. Thank You. Kind RegardsThe USM Events Team

It's a bit more mucking around for me, because I live in Brisbane, but I have got those 1.5/40/10 figures set in my head, and I'm v keen to see how I go. The Cairns race was also an option I thought of, but a little too early for me.

Anyone know of any more Olympic distance triathlon races on the east coast around that time?

That said my work has entered 3 mixed teams in noosa for this year so I will get a TT in atleast. Good luck to every body trying to register on the 8th - hopefully the server will behave this time!

Given stories from last year I'm thinking of reserving seats at restaraunts now as it sounded like standing room only EVERYWHERE last year... the Noosa winter festival had almost the whole towns restaraunts booked out on the saturday night a couple of weeks ago!

I have to ride early in the morning, before my brain figures out what I'm doing...

Kingscliff event might also be a go-er. QSM didn't do a bad job with the Battle of the Border social ride I went on, and it is a fantastic location. My one query is the estuary to beach swim. If there is a big swell or a strong current, I don't want to drown! :/

The first Tri QSM held in kingscliff in March was AWESOME! very well organised and a great course (except for the swim as the ocean was in a bad mood that day) the swim was held in the ocean as an out across and back course but it was choppy and a pretty hard day out for all involved. The down side to the swim was a long run back up the beach and past the transition area before getting to the bike - it was around 300+meters on the sand and footpaths to transition.

I believe they are altering that for the september triathlon and the distance is now OLYMPIC as opposed to the almost olympic (1.0km / 32km / 8km) held in March.

Looks set to be another awesome race... even if I am only going to get a ride in a team (mesa no swim! mesa no run!)

I have to ride early in the morning, before my brain figures out what I'm doing...

If you didn't get on today, that's it, individual entries are now sold out.

So, money paid, name on list. A bit daunting to see how many people will be there -- better keep doing my training. I will still seriously consider Kingscliff tho. I am sure it will be a more friendly and relaxed atmosphere (it's that kind of place!), and at $60 instead of $210, it's a steal.

@Clown Boy: I saw you were giving Missy a bit of advice with her training program, so thought I would put mine up for comment too. I'm pretty time poor during the week, except for Thursdays, so I have had to rationalise a bit:

-- Thursday I have been trying to do 1.5km in the pool (freestyle, no pauses), followed by a 40km bike. Then in the evening I play indoor soccer (which kinda takes care of a bit of running -- nowhere near 10km, but anyhoo).-- Sunday morning I basically try to do the full triathlon distance, with as little transition time as possible.

I know this program is pretty unconventional compared to a lot of what is published, but I like it because it cuts down on getting changed / showers / prepping bike (at least a little bit). I think usually published programs would advocate many more sessions, of slightly shorter individual duration (but longer cumulative duration)?

Anyway, I am not aiming to set the course on fire, but hope to surprise myself on the day, and get a bit more "fitter".

Any advice would be great -- I have checked out the "transitions" triathlon-specific forum, but would agree with Clown Boy's previous comments regarding that site -- a lot of people with issues seem to hang out there, so it doesn't seem like a nice environment to get beginner's advice.

What a trial! I am lucky I got to enter a few weeks ago or I would have been pulling my hair out.

In asking for advice (Missy knows this already) - I have about 5 tris under my belt and <18 month training experience. So I am not an expert.

However I have 2 half ironmans, a full ironman and Noosa and a couple of other races over the next 10 months so I am on a steep learning curve.

If I was as time poor as you are, I would still peak on Thursday and Sunday (as you have described) but put a focus on each (instead of trying to do all 3 legs with equal emphasis).

So if Thursday has a cycling focus - can you do a 40km time trial (as in cycle without pauses, traffic lights, etc, if you can) - then swap shoes and do some sprints. Pick a 200m course and you run it full speed then jog back lightly. Fit in half a dozen.

When you hop in for your swim - 1.5km can be boring - or it does for me. I would pick my race speed (say 2min/100m or faster\slower depending on your ability) and do 500m(10minutes), 400m(8 minutes), 300m (6 minutes), 200m (4 minutes), 100m (2 minutes). It is still 1500m but you get rest intervals after shorter periods and I find it easier than just swimming.

Saturday could be more about running. If you are only running once a week - make it a decent 15km track (or 5km loop you repeat) and time your efforts. Work on getting faster. When you go to the pool afterward - make this session more about technique. 200m warm up then do some kick drills, pool buoy work, etc.

Does that help? It isn't much training but it sounds like you know you can do the distance. So you want some time to focus on improving cycling. And some time to focus on improving running. And time to focus on improving swimming. (as oppossed to just putting a bit of time into a hodge podge of all 3.

thanks for the advice, some reasonable thoughts. So far I have just been focussed on making the distance, will now try a few of those tips to attempt to improve my times. I will also see about registering for some smaller/shorter races prior to Noosa so I am not totally bewildered by the transitions.

SeditionTrial wrote:thanks for the advice, some reasonable thoughts. So far I have just been focussed on making the distance, will now try a few of those tips to attempt to improve my times. I will also see about registering for some smaller/shorter races prior to Noosa so I am not totally bewildered by the transitions.

Yes, profile updated today -- I'm in Brisbane. Another good tip CB, I will register for that Gold Coast sprint tri. To be honest I think Kingscliff is probably a nicer environment, but a little worried about an open water swim in the surf as a first-up, so I will probably take my chances with the bull sharks in the canals!

Training again tomorrow morning... might start a separate post with some distances and times to keep myself motivated and honest.

SeditionTrial wrote:Yes, profile updated today -- I'm in Brisbane. Another good tip CB, I will register for that Gold Coast sprint tri. To be honest I think Kingscliff is probably a nicer environment, but a little worried about an open water swim in the surf as a first-up, so I will probably take my chances with the bull sharks in the canals!

Training again tomorrow morning... might start a separate post with some distances and times to keep myself motivated and honest.

Where in Brisvegas are you?

I've been doing tris for a few years now - I'm happy to share what limited knowledge I have acquired.....

SeditionTrial wrote:-- Thursday I have been trying to do 1.5km in the pool (freestyle, no pauses), followed by a 40km bike. Then in the evening I play indoor soccer (which kinda takes care of a bit of running -- nowhere near 10km, but anyhoo).

-- Sunday morning I basically try to do the full triathlon distance, with as little transition time as possible.

I know this program is pretty unconventional compared to a lot of what is published, but I like it because it cuts down on getting changed / showers / prepping bike (at least a little bit). I think usually published programs would advocate many more sessions, of slightly shorter individual duration (but longer cumulative duration)?

Anyway, I am not aiming to set the course on fire, but hope to surprise myself on the day, and get a bit more "fitter".

Any advice would be great -- I have checked out the "transitions" triathlon-specific forum, but would agree with Clown Boy's previous comments regarding that site -- a lot of people with issues seem to hang out there, so it doesn't seem like a nice environment to get beginner's advice.

Transitions can be very noobiefriendly, but as with many forumes people can get on without having done any homework and ask silly questions right up front without having sat and watched how "the lane is working" I'm on Transitions, and I'm more than happy to help

Now - as far as your race/training program - I'm no veteran, but this will be Noosa number 3 for me, plus Mooloolabas too, and I used to race masters swimming too, so I've thrown in a bit of training here and there too.

It is good that you are working at doing 1.5 km swims, but aim to also be able to do 2km. Believe me - on race day, when the adrenalin hits, you will want to be able to swim through the initial rush of blood and settle into your pace - that initial rush of blood will be much faster than you would normally pace for 1.5km in the pool, and also remember there are no line markings to follow and no walls to push off of - so again you want to know you have the full distance under your belt plus margin. Remember also most published and squad swim sessions are also aimed at making you swim stronger in race conditions, hence the shorter elements at higher intensity = strength and endurance.

If you are comfortable on the bike over a shop ride distance, you will be fine with the OD distance - again - just remember to settle into your OWN rhythm.

As far as the run goes - you WILL want to be doing some run specific training - soccer training/playing wont do it. By the time you have swum 1500m, and biked 40000m, your body is tired, and running off the bike is a different thing altogether - change in posture, change in muscles etc..... so on the run it will take you a good 1-1.5km to find your run rhythm - and your cadence. You settle into this, assuming you aren't setting too high a pace for yourself with the whole blood rush/excitement of race day, and by the time you get to the 4/5km mark, you are feeling it. By the time you get through 6, 7, and 8, you are really feeling it. You would be amazed how much things can tighten up around this mark, and if you don't have the conditioning for it, you can end up shortening up your stride, tight through your legs and glutes, lower back - all tight, and the last 2 km becomes harder work than it needs to be.

I don't know what you do work wise, but even if you start doing a 5 km run in your lunch hour, or join a run group - eg Active Stride at South Bank has an evening run group that is free. Even at night, a 5km run will only take you 30-40 mins in the beginning, and before you know it you will be pumping out an easy 6-8km in about 40-50 minutes as a training run, which sets you up for doing a long slow 10km on a weekend morning - that is really what I would say you need as a good base to enjoy your OD tri experience without too much pain

Who is online

About the Australian Cycling Forums

The largest cycling discussion forum in Australia for all things bike; from new riders to seasoned bike nuts, the Australian Cycling Forums are a welcoming community where you can ask questions and talk about the type of bikes and cycling topics you like.